The pattern of Jim Harbaugh’s news conferences

A pattern has emerged with Jim Harbaugh at his news conferences. At first, Harbaugh simply refuses to answer questions, seemingly any questions. He’s particularly averse to negative queries. Then after getting buffeted for answers, he throws a mini-fit and then he ends up answering some questions.

Here’s an example of the shut down Harbaugh who refuses to budge on revealing information:

Why didn’t Frank Gore get more carries?

“I don’t have an answer for you.”

Have you thought about using (Anthony) Dixon in those short yardage situations and why hasn’t that materialized yet?

“Well, I mean, it hasn’t. You know.”

Need to find a go-to guy in the red zone?

“Based on play call and situation, that’s all 11.”

Will you be more hands-on with red zone calls?

“We’ll be as hands-on as we’ve been.”

Now after a number of short answers, here comes the mini-fit:

“We know there’s going to be criticisms, we know there’s going to be “Why’s” What happened? What took place? Why didn’t you do this? Why didn’t you do that? Who’s your go-to guy? We’re not going to talk about it. We are going to talk about it to our players, to our team. And make a real effort every single day, this is what we do, try to address problems and get them fixed. We will work together to get them fixed.”

After that, Harbaugh then went back to a previous question about sending the league tapes of disputed calls. He said he would send in a tape of linebacker Larry Grant’s personal foul for hitting quarterback John Skelton low. The penalty was part of a touchdown drive for the Cardinals.

Harbaugh said that just before the fake field goal, quarterback Alex Smith was hit low and it wasn’t called.
In fit mode, Harbaugh divulges only the things that are bothering him and that he can say without letting anyone know what he’s really thinking.

Part of the issue is that Harbaugh gives players Mondays off, so he hasn’t addressed issues with the team and individual players yet. He doesn’t want to reveal to the media what he wants to say to the players.

It’s also just the way he is. As he said half-mockingly that he’s difficult and moody. Hopefully for 49ers fans he’s just as perceptive at assessing his team as he is at about assessing himself.